A CALOOCAN City court has convicted Police Officer 1 Jefrey Perez for planting of evidence and torture in relation to the killings of Carl Angelo Arnaez and Reynaldo “Kulot” De Guzman in August 2017.
The two teenagers were killed at the height of the Duterte administration’s bloody crackdown on the illegal drugs trade.
Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Branch 122 Presiding Judge Rodrigo Pascua Jr. said the prosecution was able to present evidence necessary to secure the conviction of Perez.
“Wherefore, premises considered the accused PO1 Jefrey S. Perez is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for all the crimes charged against him,” Pascua said in his ruling dated November 10.
For violation of Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2010 against Arnaiz, the court sentenced Perez to a prison term of six months to four years and two months.
For violation of the same law with relation to De Guzman, he was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.
In the case of planting evidence against Arnaiz, the court meted Perez two life terms in addition to “absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office.”
He was also ordered to pay the heirs of Arnaiz and De Guman P2 million each.
Arnaiz and De Guzman were killed two days after Caloocan policemen, in an anti-drug operation, killed 17-year-old Kian De Los Santos.
